Why the Leopard does not eat the Goat

In the old days, the Leopard and the Goat were great friends. They lived near each other and their children played together. One day, there was a great famine. The Leopard had no food for his family and was growing desperate. He went to the Goat and said, "Friend Goat, lend me one of your children. I will eat him now, and when the famine is over, I promise I will repay you with one of my own." The Goat felt pity for his friend and reluctantly agreed. The Leopard took one of the kids and ate it. Soon, the rains came, the famine ended, and food was plentiful again. The Goat went to the Leopard and said, "Friend, times are good now. Please, as you promised, give me one of your cubs to replace my child." The Leopard, however, had no intention of keeping his promise. He laughed and said, "My friend, if you think you are strong enough to take one of my cubs, you are welcome to try." The Goat knew he was no match for the Leopard's strength. Heartbroken and betrayed, he went to the medicine-man and asked for a powerful charm. The medicine-man gave him a small drum and told him that whenever the Leopard was near, he should beat it. The sound of the drum would strike terror into the Leopard's heart and make him flee. From that day on, whenever the Leopard sees the Goat, the Goat beats his foot upon the ground—which sounds like the magic drum—and the Leopard, remembering the powerful charm, runs away in fear, never again daring to harm the Goat's family.